Orion language

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The major divisions of the primary Orion language were High Orion and Low Orion. High Orion was used by the upper class and in diplomacy, negotiation and on formal occasions. High Orion was also used among Ruddy Orions as their conversational day to day language to further distinguish themselves from the Green and Gray Orions as the dominant upper class. Low Orion was used in passing in everyday life, spoken by lower classes, primarily by Greens and Grays, but used informally by all. While similar and with the same words, pronunciations were different. High Orion often sounded musical and lyrical, with flowery terms, precise rules for grammar and careful shades of meaning. Low Orion, however, had more nasal and exhaled language sounds, broader vowels and was generally much simpler and cruder. Both were trickier than they appeared. (FASA RPG - The Orionsmodule: Book of Common Knowledge)

In the Orion language itself, this was called Kolari. Some Orions chose to speak older and more antiquated or poetic forms such as High Kolari or Imperial Kolari, primarily to score social points or confuse non-speakers. In any language, they enjoyed ornate speech and veiled insults. (Decipher RPGmodule: Aliens)

The Orion language was full of double meanings, ambiguities, intentionally vague words and interpretations that depended on context. There were no single words for 'yes' or 'no', but were instead qualified as, for example, 'yes, if...' and 'no, but...'. It was said to be an excellent debating language, though with no direct answers. It was well-suited for concealing motive and meaning.

It was also a good swearing language. Low Orion had more base words and vile epithets, but High Orion had a sophisticated cursing case that could be used to deliver delicate and elaborate insults in ambiguous terms. These were sometimes in verse, and counted as works of art, but were rarely heard by non-Orions.

In general, Orions preferred not to use their language around others, as it could confuse aliens. Instead, they spoke the alien language to be polite and understand the other's way of thinking. (FASA RPG - The Orionsmodule: Book of Common Knowledge)

There was a 'backcountry' dialect that is spoken by provincial commoners. (TOSnovel: Crossroad)

Orion language tended to have a guttural, sibilant quality (this may be specific to reptilian Orions). In the Priam IV test at Starfleet Academy, CadetTasha Yar attempted to operate a computer on an Orion boat, but didn't recognize the Orion language. When the computer issued a vocal query, she reacted with the common Human exclamation "ssh", which matched one of the computer's Orion language voice commands. This set off an alarm, as the Orion signal for danger was apparently to hiss like a snake. (TNGnovel: Survivors)

The Orions: Book of Deep Knowledge makes tahedrin the singular and turns tahedri the plural. According to the pattern of pluralism established in it and The Orions: Book of Common Knowledge, where n is added to form the plural of various occupations (eg. dubyal/dubyaln, uta/utan), then tahedrin ought to be the plural form of tahedri. Following this, tabadin would likely be the plural of tabadi.

'blasters and book-keepers'. An Orion sentiment referring to military and political control versus trade and economic forces. One must fall before the other, though it doesn't specify which. (FASA RPG - The Orionsmodule: Book of Common Knowledge)

There was no one word for 'spite' in the Orion language, and the concept of doing something for nothing was difficult to explain and for Orions to understand. However, they could easily conceive of it as a type of revenge and readily practiced it. (FASA RPG - The Orionsmodule: Book of Deep Knowledge)

"Shandaken, dgr'xt en. K'laxm f'dactla en str'ln axltr'dn. Pr'dyn dgreilt jarras'tla en axm b'rerr–" Uhura translated this message and said "He's telling them [lead by Police Commander Shandaken] to give up. He says he wants them to go back to Orion, where they can all be charged with high treason–" (TOSnovel: Death Count)